Spicy question: what's the most OVERRATED Doctor Who festive special in your opinion? While we're here, have a wonderful Christmas everyone, and please, watch out for any robot Santas roaming about the place.
@@ade1665 I can see where you are coming from becuase it wasn't well recieved at the time it was broadcast. My personal over rated list is a time betwen Next Christmas where Nick Frost's portrayal of Santa is worse than a lot of Mall Santa's I've seen over the years, and A Christmas Carol where their attempt reinterpret Dickens is just silly beyond the surface of it. Seriously, the Doctor trying to avoid gettting married to Marylyn Monroe is just bizzae. Maybe he was actual running away from Joe Dimaggio who didn't like the way some of his ex-wife's lovers, particularly the Kennedy's, treated her. on the other hand maybe Marlyn Said her name was Mrs. Robinson. Speaking of A Christmas Carol, the 1984 Version, which was broadcast here in the states on CBS, features Mark Strickson in the role of the Younger Scrooge before he turned into the heartless Miser that Scott Portrayed. This was just after he left Doctor Who.
Most overrated Festive Special for me is The Runaway Bride. I get that it is the introduction episode for Catherine Tate's Donna Noble, but she had better episodes later down the line.
I think the reason "Return of the Doctor Mysterio" wasn't very Christmas-y is because it's actually a follow up to "The Husbands of River Song" so the plot needed to be complimentary to the fact the intention of the episode is to explore the Doctor's grief of losing his wife and maturing. It helps explain his character development in the following season
I have seen a clip reconstruction of 1965’s “The Feast of Steven” (because it’s lost). It’s a lot of fun and bordering on insane. I loved the Tardis materialising in the middle of a televised cricket match, and I love how the police get confused about which police box is theirs. Then there’s the fourth wall moment at the end that will forever stand out - the toast for Christmas. Sad that it’s lost though.
My top 3 are The Christmas Invasion, The Husbands of River Song, and The Snowmen. These are the ones i rewatch the most. I think its criminal to put Resolution above Doctor Mysterio.
@@coyotehater yeah I feel like I write off Capaldi as one of my least favorite doctors but when I really look at it it is because of Clara and not him. I liked him with Bill but Clara is such a terrible character. My loathing of her is so bad that I have trouble watching Jenna Coleman in anything else n
@@occheermommy it’s weird because although I despise the character of Clara, I have found that I actually like Jenna Coleman in other stuff. I think she was outstanding in Victoria & that changed my opinion of her. But Clara, nope. Other than Asylum of the Daleks, the only other episode I can ever tolerate her in is Face the Raven. And the thing is, 12 is my all time favorite Doctor. Peter Capaldi just nailed it in his run. Except for maybe Kill the Moon, but the less said about that, the better.
I saw this on Facebook today. 21st century Doctor Who now has more Doctors than 20th century Doctor Who. It took 32 years, 5 months (November 1963-May 1996) to tally up 8 Doctors. Doctors 1-8 & 18 years (2005-2023) to tally up 9 Doctors. 9, 10 (both incarnations), 11, War, 12, 13, Fugitive Doctor, 14, 15.
I remember watching Dr. Who the first time and my friend saying how much I was going to love Donna and then I watched the Run Away Bride and I was like "uh....." and he goes "don't worry, she comes back and gets better."
It is all already there, though. Her kindness and attentiveness and how she grounds the Doctor. I rewatched it recently and the scene at the wedding reception, when she looked after the children and the wounded, that's the Donna we grew to love.
I agree with your rankings in terms of quality. However......for me the delight of the Xmas Specials is the emotional connection I have with them. This is heavily tempered by where I was and who I watched them with. While I agree with most of your choices my top 3( and most frequently revisited) are.... 3)The Runaway Bride, 2) The Husbands of River Song,1) The Christmas Invasion
I squealed with excitement when I saw A Christmas Carol in your #1. It’s just MAGNIFICENT, so incredible, and festive, and bittersweet, as you said too, such a DW jewel 😍😍 And, of course, nothing beats the Husbands of River Song in bittersweetness and badassness (I don’t think that word exists, I am terribly sorry) and all those fantastic moments… Such grand masterpieces. Thank you very much for the lovely, festive video 🖤🖤
Aside from story quality, Snowmen has the best version of the opening theme ever in my opinion. Amongst other things there's a particular, beautiful, descending, haunting note that sadly seems to have then been replaced in subsequent episodes.
100% agree with your number 1! Wasn’t expecting much from Katherine Jenkins but god she killed it, I was shocked! I watch it every Christmas Eve. Bliddy love it, and that song at the end, I tear up every time I hear it!
Three new year specials with Daleks are my three favorite episodes of Chris Chibnall era. Yup, they aren't festive (probably because they aren't Christmas specials), but it's still hurt to see some of them ranked below than boring "Next Doctor", "The Doctor, the widow and the wardrobe" and literally one of the worst episode of the whole show "The unquiet dead", "Return of the Doctor Mysterio" and "Snowmen" are also ranked way lower than they probably should
The funny thing about the return of doctor Mysterio is because in doctor who experience in 2014 In México Capaldi and Moffat knew was called the classic series here, doctor misterio (doctor mystery) I don't know it was truth or not but as a Aussie/Mexican is funny.
I'd have put Last Christmas higher. I consider it to be a prime example of how Doctor Who stories should be. I think it would go to 2. I'd probably put Christmas Invasion around 9 and Twice Upon a Time would probably go down to 3rd or 4th from last (despite the fantastic last few minutes). Aside from those, I absolutely agree.
My favourite is The Husbands of River Song. I do like most of the specials though. I would have to think about it a bit, but Last Christmas would be much lower (probably lower than 11th place) And Return of Doctor Mysterio would be top 5. The superhero stuff was way too good for me.
Aw man I vividly remember watching The Christmas Invasion when it was broadcast in 2005, I was 11 years old and had fallen in love with The 9th Doctor so I was so scared when he regenerated (I remember asking my mum why his face changed and her explaining regeneration to me). By the end of the episode, I loved Ten.
There's not a Special I don't like in some form or another, but those last two - The Husbands of River Song, and A Christmas Carol - are the best of them all in my opinion. After that, I love Voyage of the Damned. After - whatever shows up.
The highlight of "Husbands of River Song" is The Doctor pretending that he's never been in the TARDIS before! ABSOLUTE SHEER COMEDY from Peter Capaldi!
17: The Return of Doctor Mysterio 2: Christmas Carol 1: The Husbands of River Song Posting pre watching and I'm thinking Ellie will be on board with me!
I miss the sort of Christmas specials that are set on present day earth, I liked to imagine the things that were happening in episodes like the christmas invasion and voyage of the damned were really happening! A bit silly I know but having them set in the present day earth just made them more relatable for me. 😊 My favorite Christmas special has to be the christmas invasion, there's nothing more scary than a killer Christmas tree! 😂 Merry Christmas! 🎄
I adore you, and I'd marry you in a heartbeat. But I have to say, Dr the Widow and the Wardrobe... Needs to be in the top five of this list. As you are quick to point out, Doctor Who is best when it serves adults and kids. While the adult element of the storyline suffers, this is one of the absolute greatest episodes to show kids. It is also the most singular rewatchable Doctor who episode of all time. I can understand comparing at the end of time and finding it wanting... It blows the Christmas Carol away. This is the episode I used to expose my kids to the Doctor Who.
Jodie may not have had the best "festive" specials but she did have the best Dalek stories we have gotten in a long while, imo. Resolution especially. That being said, my favorite Christmas specials have to be A Christmas Carol and Voyage of the Damned.
Yeah mine would be completely different. I am one of probably 5 people that kind of liked doctor mysterio. I didn’t care for any of the Jodi specials but the storage locker one was the best of the 3. And I love the Husbands of River Song. I also love the next doctor. I thought Morrisey did a fabulous job with the other David. I would love to see him back on the show. Maybe as a doctor in the future the way Capaldi did. A Christmas Carol was good but not my favorite. I would probably put it at 4-5. I feel like I enjoyed most of the Capaldi specials even though I didn’t like him as the doctor most of the time. I think that was more down to Clara and their relationship than it was to him. I actually liked him with Bill. Overall I think there is room for improvement in many of the specials but I wish we got one this year even if it were crap.
I'm going to say something really controversial: I don't like The Husbands of River Song except for the last few minutes, which are magical. The whole plot hook of the Doctor knowing River but River not recognizing the Doctor feels like something a fan would find amusing in a post on tumblr, but falls woefully flat in reality. It feels *wrong* for River not to recognize the Doctor (and generally come off as just plain *mean* - yes, she's the Doctor's bespoke psychopath, but she was never *mean* before HoRS). The Doctor apparently not having seen River since The Angels Take Manhattan feels wrong, too. Where the heck was he going whenever it wasn't Wednesdays with Clara if it wasn't spending time with River? And while many fans laud it for being a bookend to Silence in the Library, I think it was premature, because it forced River into being SO heavily linked to the Eleventh Doctor alone when it previously seemed like she knew MANY future incarnations of him.
I wholehearted agree on both your points. River couldn't tell the Doctors other faces apart, but she suddenly couldn't even put the dots together on this one? I don't believe that for a second. She's genius, she would never need it spelled out for her. Maybe it was played for laugh, but it didn't work for me, just seemed insulting. And yeah ok, that ship was full of bad people, but River's cruelty made me uncomfortable. Like you said, she is a psychopath, but she never, ever mean. I am surprised to see from the video and comments that so many people like it. To me it's one of the worst Doctor Who episodes overall.
I would definitely put Eve of the Daleks higher. I feel that episode really stood out in the Chibnall-era festive episodes and was much more enjoyable than some of the higher ranking episodes on this list. And the double parter where David Tennant's Doctor reluctantly says goodbye is deffo my number one! Other than that, great list Ellie!
I didn’t mind the change from Christmas specials to New Years and Spring specials. As someone who has never celebrated Christmas, I always felt a little bit of disconnect from these episodes that were supposed to feel “special”
Honestly, the only Christmas specials I care for, in order, are The Husbands of River Song, Twice Upon a Time, The Return of Dr. Mysterio, & The Next Doctor. The rest, meh, seen em once, don’t care if I watch them again. But those 4, I’ve watched multiple times.
I feel that nos 3, 2 and 1 are interchangeable, depending on one's mood. All three were first-class specials. Personally I would put "The Return of Dr Mysterio in the top 5. Happy holidays! Cheers....
I think I would have to agree with your choices. The top three especially. It's going to feel odd having no special this year, but oh well, might have to visit some of the old favorites aye 🌲🎁
I feel sacrilegious saying it, but I actually have a River Song episode ranked higher than Ellie! Endgame I would personally place a couple slots lower and my top two are A Christmas Carol is top as it is just about perfect as an episode of TV, and episode of Who, and a Christmas episode. Second is Husbands of River Song, mostly because it is a bit less Christmas-y and tries a bit too hard to be funny, but otherwise is an excellent episode of TV and of Who in general with the performances and interplay of 12 and River is perfection.
No mention of The Feast of Steven? This was broadcast on Christmas Day and even had the Doctor breaking the fourth wall to wish the viewers a Merry Christmas (For those not aware this was the first Doctor in 1965)
The Return of Doctor Mysterio is MUCH better than where you have it ranked!!! It's fun and sweet (and even a bit sad, referencing the Doctor's feelings after Darillium).
The Christmas Invasion is still my favourite. I'd rank The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe second. What is more christmassy than trying to make a couple of children happy for a few days.
I actually find the Christmas Invasion really dull, mostly because half the episode is spent with the Doctor in bed asleep, a shame for his first episode.
My favorites are: 1) Christmas Invasion 2) Christmas Carol 3) The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe 4) Doctor Mysterio 5) The Snowmen 6) The Time of the Doctor 7) The Runaway Bride 8) Voyage of the Damned 9) Twice Upon a Time 10) The Husbands of River Song 11) The End of Time
No problems with your ranking. I just LOVED the new edition to cannon that is the Advanced Scout Dalek. After 60 years, there’s still new stuff to learn about Daleks. I was properly impressed by the new Dalek type. Fucking enthralled.
Agree with most of your list but I think you need to give more credit to "Twice Upon a Time". I agree that there were a lot of bad jokes but the one thing it really has going for it was that the "Christmas Miracle" ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Being able to incorporate real people and real events into WHO Culture has always made for some of the better episodes of the series. All of the other episodes on the list (I think) don't include an appearance from a historical figure or happen during a real event. (You can't count Santa Clause). So there needs to be extra credit given for this aspect alone. "So that's what it means to be a Doctor of war."
Hot take: Eve of the Daleks and Voyage of the damned are both great, Eve because it was the first episode I saw, and i just enjoy voyage of the damned more than others i guess
My most recent Festive Ranking went something like: A Christmas Carol The End of Time Voyage of the Damned The Next Doctor (My personal favourite) Twice Upon a Time The Snowmen Last Christmas The Husbands of River Song The Christmas Invasion Revolution of the Daleks Eve of the Daleks The Time of the Doctor Resolution The Return of Doctor Mysterio (A guilty pleasure for me) The Runaway Bride The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe
So where would you put "The Feast of Steven", episode 7 of "The Daleks' Masterplan" (and, ironically, the only episode without Daleks), the only episode of 20th century "Who" to air on Christmas, and, arguably, the very first "Doctor Who" Christmas special?
Not a fan of 13th era but I actually really enjoyed The Eve of the Daleks! Time loop was a fun idea that we haven't seen in DW yet (or at least I don't remember) and side characters were pretty good. And I just don't get The Christmas Carol, I thought it was boring and forced. Maybe I need a rewatch. My favourite is probably The Christmas Invasion, exactly the kind of Christmas cheese I wanted at a time. I'm also a big fan of End of Time.
I disagree with 1 and 2, because it should be the other way round. The End of Time is THE greatest penultimate story arc of the show, with the only rival being The Name, Day, and Time of the Doctor Respectfully.
Actually the first christmas may well have occured in April as most scolars no believe that Jesus may have been born in April between the years 8 BCE and 4 BCE.
@@danthemeegs8751 So that makes the Unquiet Dead the Ideal Christmas special. Better than virtually all of Steven Moffat's output. Last Christmas is especially bad. Nick Frost's portrayal of Santa Claus was the worst. I've seen Mall Santa's who've delivered better portrayals of Jolly St. Nick.
Yup. But that would have messed up Easter every so many years so the Christians nicked my ancestors' Midwinter celebration! Blooming typical if you ask me. They nicked the symbols and name of the Saxon fertility goddess Leaster for Easter as it was, so no surprises. Then they turned one of the four most sacred days of the Celtic year by turning Samhain (which, e.g. in 2023, isn't just 31st October, it starts then but actually ends in the evening of 1/11 - thought I'd look up the calendar for you :)) into Halloween (aka All Hallows Eve) the day before All Saints' Day (Nov 1). It's one of the two days of the year that the spirits and mortals can meet up and even cross over between Earth and the Otherworld - Annwn to me, other names elsewhere but it's the same place. So, now let's get a timelord in to untangle the mess the Christians made to a perfectly functional calendar! Always got to spoil the fun!
@@y_fam_goeglyd I thought you were referring to the Roman's. They're the one's who made all those changes to the Christian Calander, specifically the Emporor Constantine. Btw those ancestors you are referring to, the Celtics, are my ancestors two. My Grandmother was full blooded Scot who moved to this country in the twenties and spent the last 68 years of her life here and died on Christmas Eve.
I think it would have sounded cool being "Most WHOtiful time of the year". I think it could have sounded cooler than doctorful, although this is just an idea. Either way, love it. You guys are doing a great job and keep it up!
Because no one, including anyone that watched it, will remember that flawed storyline in a few years from now. I refuse to buy that season. Even The Power of the Doctor episode forgot that storyline.
Should planet of the dead be included in this list as it was an Easter special ? 🤔 and maybe shoe horn in Waters of Mars? I just remember there being snow and the end of the episode 😂
As I only managed to watch the first season with Jodie as the Doctor (or at least I think I managed the whole season) it would be unfair of me to comment on her episodes. As for the rest, I think I disagreed with them all.
